The two men now faced each other, the small table alone separating them. The powerful electrolier overhead cast its light full on Howard's haggard face and on the captain's scowling features. Suddenly Maloney turned off every electric light except the lights in the electrolier, the glare of which was intensified by the surrounding darkness. The rest of the room was in shadow. One saw only these two figures standing vividly out in the strong light--the white-faced prisoner and his stalwart inquisitor. In the dark background stood Policeman Delaney. Close at hand was Maloney taking notes. "You did it, and you know you did it!" thundered the captain, fixing his eyes on his trembling victim. [Illustration: "YOU DID IT, AND YOU KNOW YOU DID IT."] "I did not do it," replied Howard slowly and firmly, returning the policeman's stare. "You're lying!" shouted the captain. "I'm not lying," replied Howard calmly. The captain glared at him for a moment and then suddenly tried new tactics. "Why did you come here?" he demanded. "I came to borrow money." "Did you get it?" "No--he said he couldn't give it to me." "Then you killed him." "I did not kill him," replied Howard positively. Thus the searching examination went on, mercilessly, tirelessly. The same questions, the same answers, the same accusations, the same denials, hour after hour. The captain was tired, but being a giant in physique, he could stand it. He knew that his victim could not. It was only a question of time when the latter's resistance would be weakened. Then he would stop lying and tell the truth. That's all he wanted--the truth. "You shot him!" "I did not." "You're lying!" "I'm not lying--it's the truth." So it went on, hour after hour, relentlessly, pitilessly, while the patient Maloney, in the obscure background, took notes. CHAPTER X. The clock ticked on, and still the merciless brow-beating went on. They had been at it now five long, weary hours. Through the blinds the gray daylight outside was creeping its way in. All the policemen were exhausted. The prisoner was on the verge of collapse. Maloney and Patrolman Delaney were dozing on chairs, but Captain Clinton, a marvel of iron will and physical strength, never relaxed for a moment. Not allowing himself to weaken or show signs of fatigue, he kept pounding the unhappy youth with searching questions. By this time Howard's condition was pitiable to witness. His face was white as death. His trembling lips could hardly articulate. It was with the greatest difficulty that he kept on his feet. Every moment he seemed about to fall. At times he clutched the table nervously, for fear he would stumble. Several times, through sheer exhaustion, he sat down. The act was almost involuntary. Nature was giving way. "I can't stand any more," he murmured. "What's the good of all these questions? I tell you I didn't do it." He sank helplessly on to a chair. His eyes rolled in his head. He looked as if he would faint.